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Overview of the Project

The research project is designed to provide you with the opportunity to synthesize information regarding the research process by applying the knowledge that you have gained in this course. During the first week of class, you will be provided an opportunity to explore possible research areas with each other and the instructor(s). You should meet periodically throughout the semester with your instructor.

The research report will be written in sections as the course progresses. Please note that after segments of the research process have been discussed in class, the first draft of the corresponding section of your report will be due. These drafts should be your best effort based on your understanding, at the time they are due, of the research process and of the nursing problem that you have chosen. Obviously, your knowledge of the problem area and the research process will increase as the course progresses so that you will probably be making changes in the components prior to their incorporation into the final version, which is due later in the semester.

The instructor(s) will provide feedback regarding the draft copy for each report area providing you meet the deadline or negotiate other arrangements prior to the due date for any report section. Submission of revised sections offers an additional opportunity for feedback. Each time a revision is requested, the immediate previous version should also be submitted.

You should not take lightly your writing tasks. Such writing is a way to solidify your thoughts, clarify your ideas, and determine further lines of inquiry that you will need to pursue to complete your paper. In this course, writing and revision are considered tools for learning the research process as well as a method of improving your written communication skills and producing a finished product, the research report. Each draft of your paper will be graded.

Criteria utilized in grading each draft out of a total possible 10 points will be as follows:

The final draft will be more heavily weighted (as indicated in the syllabus). Please also note that you are expected to do an oral presentation of your project. This, too, will be graded. Late submissions will be downgraded 1 point per day.

Grading Criteria for Final Submission (Note: Since the final submission in Nursing 432 consists only of Chapters I, II, III-A, and III-B, only the grading criteria for these sections is relevant.)

I. INTRODUCTION (20 points)

A. Introduction to focus on study (3)

B. Statement of problem (3)

C. Identification of specific research hypothesis(es) to be addressed (4)

D. Operationalization of variables and significant terms in your study (4)

E. Identification of major assumptions and limitations of the study (2)

F. Significance of problem to nursing (4)

II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE& THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK (25 points)

REVIEW OF LITERATURE (15 points)

A. Review of specific studies/report for each major area in study (6)

B. Is organized with progressive development of ideas (3)

C. Provides rationale and direction for the study (3)

D. Includes a summary reflecting current state of the art (3)

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK (10 points)

A. Provides an introduction and rationale for selected theories/concepts (3)

B. Clearly articulates selected theory (ies) (3)

C. Relates theory (ies) to research question(s) (4)

III. METHODOLOGY (20 points)

DESIGN (8 points)

A. Explain study design selection and rationale (2)

B. Determine characteristics of population, sample, subjects to be studied (2)

C. Explain sample selection (2)

D. Discuss process used to obtain permission to study subjects (2)

INSTRUMENTATION (8 points)

E. Explain selection/development of the instrument & demographic questionnaire (2)

F. Discuss validity and reliability (3)

G. Discuss administration & scoring (3)

(PROPOSED) TREATMENT OF DATA (4 points)

H. Plan for statistical manipulation of data (3)

I. Explanation of procedure for missing data (1)

IV. RESULTS: ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS (15 points)

A. Report results of statistical manipulation for each research question (4)

B. Prepare tables, graphs, etc. that explain results (3)

C. Interpret results in relation to research hypothesis (3)

D. Interpret results in relation to studies/reports cited in literature review (3)

Grading Criteria for Oral Presentation (Note: A poster presentation will take the place of an oral presentation in Nursing 432; the grading criteria will are to be announced.) (10 points)

Content (7 points)

1. Introduces research project (1 point)

2. Provides overview of review of literature (1 point)

3. Incorporates critical elements of methodology and data analysis (2 points)

4. Discusses results and implications of nursing (2 points)

5. Addresses questions from the audience (1 point)

Delivery (3 points)

1. Uses proper grammar, articulates thoughts well (2 points)

2. Addresses audience with eye contact and responds to their needs (1 point)